Bond Buzz, Issue #31
November 22, 2006
Free from Bond America

Welcome to another issue of Bond Buzz!

Indulge yourself in our super holiday projects

We have designer Kathy Perry to thank for this holiday-appropriate “Drama Dress and Coat” set. USM knitters have no problem knitting coats, dresses and other “significant” garments – it’s just a few more pushes of the carriage.  So enjoy this set and get ready for New Year’s Eve!

And for our Bond Archive pattern, another holiday-inspired garment, the “Holly and Snowflake Cardigan,” perfect for gift-giving or wearing!

Surprise Felting, or Felting the Unfeltable
OK, now for the fun!  I’m not sure about you, but I’ve become a felting addict.  Perhaps that’s my assistant Nancy’s fault since she’s made over 20 felted bags. What interests me are the yarns that “might” felt.  For anyone getting into felting, we've been told that we must use 100% animal fiber yarn: wool, alpaca, llama, etc. But looking at our new Black Magic yarn, I thought it would make an interesting felting test.  Black Magic is composed of a solid black core with a multi-color, all wool roving wrapped around it, almost like a ply but much softer.  If the wool felted (shrunk) around the acrylic, what would the result be?

The wool roving “squeezed” the acrylic, forcing it to make mini-bobbles along the surface.  Way cool – what an amazing transformation! AND the yarn is very USM-friendly – using every other needle and a #4 keyplate.

Here’s a simple purse pattern that uses just one ball of Black Magic and one skein of Simply Soft to create the cording used for the strap and embellishing.  Note you can also use this pattern for the Pocket Knitter.

FRONT FLAP PURSE
Pre-felted dimensions of purse (excluding flap):  5” x  9”
After-felting dimensions: 4 ½” x 7”

MATERIALS
Caron International’s Black Magic (50% wool, 50% acrylic, 1.76 oz/50 g, 59 yds/54m ball): #0002 Magenta Mix (MC): 1 ball;
Caron International's Simply Soft (100% acrylic; 6 oz/170 g, 315 yds/288 m skein): #9727 Black (CC): 1 skein
nylon net bag or pillow case
small amount (teasponn) liquid hand soap
old jeans for agitation
tapestry needle
4” beaded fringe (optional)
sewing thread and sewing needle (optional).

GAUGE
On every other needle using #4 keyplate:
Pre-felted gauge:  11 sts & 15 rows
After-felting gauge:  13 sts & 19 rows = 4”/10 cm

PURSE
Note: Use every other needle with MC.

1. Closed edge cast on 14 sts.
2. Knit 100 rows.
3. BO loosely across.

Finishing

1. Let knitting rest an hour or so. 
2. Fold purse into thirds and sew front to back.
3. Weave in ends.

Felting

1. Put purse in nylon net bag or pillow case.
2. Fill washer 1/3 full of hot water and once full, put in teaspoon full of soap, jeans and purse.
3. Agitate for 4 to 6 minutes, checking after 4 minutes.
4. Let water drain from washer & fill 1/3 full with cold rinse water.
5. Let agitate for about a minute, then drain.
6. Spin for a minute or so and remove items from washer.
7. Purse should not need much, if any, shaping.  Lay flat to dry.

Embellishing

1. Using the Embellish-Knit™ and CC, make 32” of cording (or desired length for strap), leaving a 6” end of yarn.
2. Sew cording to sides of purse.
3. Optional: sew on beaded fringe to edge of flap.

From now until January 1, Caron/Bond America is excited to offer you FREE shipping for all orders over $100 (excluding tables). PLUS for every USM you order, you’ll also get a FREE Row Counter, a $29.95 value!  The USM is the greatest mother-daughter gift you could give.  Take it from someone whose daughter has used hers every since she was in kindergarten (she’s now 29).

Also, a real deal on Intarsia Keyplates – now $14.95!  Take advantage of our overstock position and get your stocking stuffers now.

Back online is the Tassel Maker – now $3.95! It's a great gadget for making super yarn tassels.  I use mine all the time – it’s the best!

And now for something completely different….. the Mall of America Knit-Out.  Yes, the famous New York Knit-Out is taking up residence for two days at the Mall of America in Minneapolis on February 17 and 18, 2007 - and Bond America/Caron wants YOU! – to demonstrate those days.  If you live in the Minneapolis area and are interested in working with two of the greatest Caron guys you’d ever want to meet, Jan and EJ, please contact EJ via e-mail.  Yes, you would be paid, but you need to be experienced in using the machine.

For the last two years, Stitch to WIN Against Breast Cancer has helped raise funds to support the fight against breast cancer through the needlearts. The grassroots initiative has also promoted awareness of the Breast Cancer Research semi-postal stamp issued by the United States Postal Service.

Now OnePixelataTime.org offers a unique and easy way to virtually Stitch to WIN Against Breast Cancer. Visit the site and select a stitch from one of the five needlearts: knitting, needlepoint, cross-stitch and embroidery and then select a pixel to "stitch" on one of five images of the Breast Cancer Research semi-postal stamp.

Caron and Bond America are proud sponsors of this program and have sponsored five of the "stitches" with special prizes. So drop by OnePixelataTime.org soon and take a "stitch" today.

And don't forget the Caps to the Capital program. Visit the Save the Children Caps to the Capital campaign website for more information. There you'll find a Caps to the Capital Action Kit, a free download that includes 2 easy knit cap patterns and 2 easy crochet cap patterns for you to use, plus complete guidelines on how to participate. As a machine knitter, you know how quickly you can turn out loads of beautiful caps for these newborns.

Wishing you and your family a wonderful Thanksgiving,

Cari Clement
Bond America

P.S. As a subscriber to Bond-Buzz, I'd like to invite you to subscribe to the FREE e-mail newsletter—Caron Connections from Caron® International. Just visit the Caron site (http://www.caron.com) and enter your email address. It's that easy. As a subscriber to Caron Connections, you'll receive monthly emails filled with the latest inside scoop on Caron's new fashion yarns and free patterns.